Ouyang Haiyuan (R) of China competes during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

SANYA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran edged China 3-2 in the final round-robin match to claim its first men's water polo gold medal at the 6th Asian Beach Games on Wednesday, while China took silver for its best-ever finish.

Affected by weather conditions, the match, originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m., was brought forward to 8 a.m. Both China and Iran entered the final round with four straight wins, making their meeting a direct title decider.

China fought back from a 1-2 deficit in sets to level the match and force a penalty shootout. Iran's goalkeeper then made a crucial save on China's third attempt to seal victory for his side.

"We came here with the goal of winning the gold medal, and this is the result of our long-term training," said Iran's Amin Ghavidel Hajiagha. "China is a very strong and young team. Sanya has brought us good luck, and we appreciate the excellent organization by the host."

"Although we lost, we performed well today," said Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Yiwen. "I failed to make the key save at a crucial moment, but it will motivate me to improve. We will now fully prepare for the Asian Games and the qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics."

Kazakhstan, winner of the previous five editions, took bronze this time. Head coach Damir Temyrkhanov said, "We have indeed won multiple titles before, but beach sports are not very developed in Kazakhstan, as our country experiences winter for about half the year. We have lacked competition experience in recent years, and we would like to have more matches with other teams in the future."

South Korea finished fourth with two wins, followed by China's Hong Kong and Thailand.

China secured the first women's water polo gold medal in Asian Beach Games history last Friday. ■

Hamid Ghodsi Nezhad (2nd R, top), head coach of Iran, gives instructions to the players during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

He Xingmeng (R) of China shoots the ball during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Guo Junliang (top C), head coach of China, gives instructions to the players during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Hamed Karimi (top R), goalkeeper of Iran, competes during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Cai Yuhao (top R) of China shoots the ball during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Amin Ghavidelhajiagha (R) of Iran shoots the ball during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Members of team Iran celebrate after the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Ouyang Haiyuan (L) of China vies with Mehdi Yazdankhah of team Iran during the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Members of team Iran celebrate after the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Members of team Iran celebrate after the water polo men's round-robin final between China and Iran at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Lee Sideok (R), goalkeeper of South Korea, competes during the water polo men's round-robin final between South Korea and Kazakhstan at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Temirlan Balfanbayev, goalkeeper of Kazakhstan, competes during the water polo men's round-robin final between South Korea and Kazakhstan at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Yong Wooseok (C) of South Korea competes during the water polo men's round-robin final between South Korea and Kazakhstan at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Yong Wooseok (1st R) of South Korea competes during the water polo men's round-robin final between South Korea and Kazakhstan at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)

Han Hyomin (R) of South Korea shoots the ball during the water polo men's round-robin final between South Korea and Kazakhstan at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi)